Biofilms in Resource-Limited Settings: Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovative Solutions in Nigeria

Abstract

Microbial biofilms represent a growing yet often overlooked public health concern, particularly in resource-limited settings where they exacerbate the burden of persistent infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Nigeria, fragile healthcare infrastructure, poor funding, and a continuous loss of skilled medical professionals compound the difficulty of managing biofilm-associated infections. These microbial communities, embedded in self-produced extracellular matrices, exhibit remarkable resistance to antimicrobials and host immune defenses, leading to chronic and recurrent infections that further strain an already overstretched health system. This review synthesizes evidence published between 2010 and 2025 to examine the burden, challenges, and opportunities surrounding biofilm control in Nigeria. Literature was systematically retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, complemented by reports from WHO and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. Findings indicate that biofilms not only complicate clinical treatment outcomes but also persist in environmental reservoirs, particularly water systems, serving as hidden amplifiers of resistance and infection transmission. To address these challenges, the review explores low-cost and context-appropriate strategies such as harnessing Nigeria’s biodiversity for the discovery of plant-derived antibiofilm compounds, implementing decentralized engineering solutions for water treatment, and promoting community-based infection prevention initiatives. It further emphasizes the importance of local innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy support within a One Health framework that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. By spotlighting the Nigerian experience, this review calls for urgent investment and global attention to biofilm-related infections in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).